Data sheet phoenix tetra
Latin name:
Hemigrammus filamentosus
Trade name:
Phoenix tetra or South American thread tetra
order name:
Tetras (Characiformes)
Family:
True tetras (Characidae)
Genus:
hemigrammus
Origin:
South America
Size (in cm:
4 cm long
aquarium size
Length and width:
at least 80 cm long and 35 cm wide
Content in litres:
from 100 liters
water values
Temperature:
24-28ºC
pH:
6.0 – 7.0
GH:
5 – 20° dGH
behavior/stocking
Area:
Fish reside in the middle and upper sections of the aquarium
Lining:
commercially available fish food flakes and frozen food
Behave:
Schooling fish, peaceful, lively
Number:
10-12 fish
Life expectancy:
8 years if kept well
Socialization with shrimp:
Yes
Difficulty level:
suitable for beginners Greco, Frank M., Hemigrammus filamentosus, CC BY 3.0
Introduction
The phoenix tetra is a hardy one freshwater fish, who behaves peacefully and shows a great joy in swimming. Today’s offspring originally come from wild catches in the slow-flowing waters of the Rio Araguaia in Brazil.
The tetra is tolerant of the water parameters, likes it warm, but does not tolerate bright light. A blackwater aquarium with dense planting around the edges, roots and a sufficiently large free-swimming area have proven their worth.
gender differences
The sex differences are clearly visible in the phoenix tetra. The males have long, threadlike fins on the back, anus and abdomen. The bases of the fins are colored red and the tips are white. Females are colorless overall. Their fins are transparent and the body appears rounder.
breed
are phoenix tetras free spawners, which do not engage in brood care. Breeding is easy under certain conditions. The hardest part is having patience and timing. The females spawn comparatively rarely.
Separate breeding tank
It is possible that the fish will spawn in the aquarium without further effort. However, the offspring here hardly has a chance of surviving, because phoenix tetras are extreme spawn robber are. Therefore, the parents should better in a separate breeding tank be transferred.
The breeding tank should be equipped with fine-leaved plants over which the females like to lay their eggs. Because of the sticky surface, they stick to the plants. At best, a spawning grid should also be integrated. This directly protects falling eggs and increases the chance of survival.
Increase willingness to mate
For breeding, the water should be very soft and slightly acidic. A brief rise in temperature and morning rays of the sun have a positive effect on the readiness of fish to mate. Otherwise, the pool should darkened be.
As already mentioned, patience is required when breeding, despite optimal conditions. Females of the phoenix tetra do not spawn very often, and when they do lay eggs, it is mostly at night. After that, the parent animals must be removed from the breeding tank.
rearing
After 20-30 hours the first young fish hatch from their eggs. Initially, they feed on the yolk sac. After four to six days, the young fish swim freely.
They need to be fed from now on. Particularly suitable for this purpose Artemia nauplii or powdered food. When the fish have reached a size where they no longer fit in the mouths of the parent animals, they can be transferred to the regular tank.
socialization
The phoenix tetra is a very peaceful fish, which gets along well with conspecifics. There are chases and fights among the males, but these are harmless.
Socialization with other fish is also possible without any problems. However, they should not be too big and just as peaceful, so that the phoenix tetra does not become a victim. Other tetra species are very suitable.
The entire stocking should definitely the same water conditions tolerate. When socializing with the phoenix tetra, the temperature is particularly important to consider. He likes it warm. The other fish have to tolerate that too.
A socialization with snails or shrimp is basically possible. However, it cannot be ruled out that the phoenix tetra eats small shrimp in particular.